J. C. Spilman Correspondence, 1972

4007 Medford Drive, SE
Huntsville, Alabama 35802

June 27, 1972

Mr. Eric P, Newman
6450 Cecil Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63105

Dear Eric:

I am sorry that I am so very slow in my reply to your letter of
April 20, 1972 and in acknowledgeing receipt of your 1968 ANS
presentation, The past several months have been rather difficult for
me and I have not been able to make a careful study of your paper.

I have only been able to take the time to make a couple of hurried
readings,

Part of the problem is that I have found your presentation very
difficult to follow. I concluded that I would have to sketch up

a number of charts in order to understand the interrelationships

of so many facts. The material is great, but there is a definate need
for some charts ~- especially where the valuations of coppers as a
function of time, locale, etc. are concerned. Also - the relative
timing of English vs American events. I have started a couple of
rough charts but that is about as far as I have gotten,

I have many questions but I expect that most of them will be answered
when I get all the ideas into context. In the meantime let me toss in
a few thoughts and observations relative to your six points on the
last page:

1. re English evasion halfpence --~ I wonder why these would
not have been imported from England (after 1771) as well
as counterfeit halfpence ?

re Bung? as appNeg to the agions <= seems to
be in copRlict with Xour concludtwg statemght in your
point ; ‘

re Bungtown as a colorful American slang word -~ A derisive
phrase - yes! But I get the feeling that the connotation
of “comic" just does not fit the situation, nor does
"humorous", === Also, if Bungtown did in fact derive

from the Shakespear connotation, then its totel

absence from the British literature (and usage) is very
difficult to comprehend.

North Swansea, Mass. You have made a much stronger case
for Westerly, R.I. !

re name Bungtown, etc. --=- I just cannot see how you
develop the logic for this conclusion Zric, it is very

weak, and I believe lessens the credibility of the
entire paper. I would suggest that you drop this idea
for the moment,

re during the first half of the 19th century ---

Yes indeed! But perhaps not to denote “worthlessness"

as mich as “unusualness" that might lead to a questionable
value,

I suppose Eric that the most disturbing element to me is that your
entire analysis is based on "published" data from newspapers, journals,
and the like, with very little recognition of the activities of the
various individuals (Buell, Atlee, Jarvis, etc.) contemporary with

the period of most probable concern (i.e.- 1780 to 1790) or the

very extensive operations of the N.E. coinage counterfeiters of

that era.

My interest in this latter element developed as I did some digging
into the operations of Abel Buell after his return from exile

in Florida. I touched very lightly on this in my introduction to
Buell that I included in the current issue of CNL. That man was just
incredible!

When I am able to budget more time to your paper I shall write to
you again Eric. At the earliest this will not be for several months
so cannot influence whatever you may decide to say in New Orleans.

Two final thoughts in closing Eric. Have you ever considered how you
would reply if someone asks you the modern translation of the balance of
Doll's tirade against Pistol, especially the punch line? And - what
about the definition of "bung" as = to bruise, to fight, or “bunged"

as the result of having been in a fight (in an “ugly and dirty

American community" 7)

Best regards,

oC opi lman

“nt Twisted Your wen Q ety cul ating” pit Cornta. § Has /